When love came raining down – Can Domingo, Ibiza
In the early summer of 2022 my phone pinged with a message, and somewhat of a blast from the past. Louis and I had met in Ibiza many moons ago, when he came here with a group of friends, to enjoy the clubs and nightlife.
The Date : October 16th 2022
The Couple : Tania & Louis
The Venue : Can Domingo, Sant Josep, Ibiza
This message was a request for advice. He was planning his wedding to Tania, his beautiful Italian fiancee, and he was asking me for general advice on locations, accommodation, catering and the many other considerations a wedding requires.
Our conversation predictably turned to music, which gave me the opportunity to introduce him to Fonoteca, and the work I’d been doing on the island recently. That conversation became an official enquiry, after which we started a dialogue on the concept for the day. To cut a long story short, Tania and Louis booked Fonoteca’s services for their wedding celebration at Can Domingo, Sant Josep.
Images courtesy of David Corral – Ibiza in Love
What made this event such a rewarding experience for me, was that Tania is Italian and Louis is African, and both would be inviting family and friends from their respective countries. This meant that I had an opportunity to provide a music program drawing from the vast riches of Italian and West African musical heritage.
The couple chose the exceptional vocalist and musician, Imane Jade, to perform with acoustic guitar for the after-ceremony canapés. After setting up and sound checking at the venue earlier in the day, I returned home to prepare for my performance that evening. On my way home, and living not far from the idyllic church in Es Cubells, where the ceremony was being held, my attention turned to the concerning procession of storm cloud in the sky above.
The weather wasn’t ideal. For months Ibiza had seen no rain, and everyone involved was hoping that it would hold off for at least one more day. Our prayers weren’t answered, and leaving the church Tania, Louis and their congregation got a glimpse of what Ibiza is like when it rains! It doesn’t rain often, but when it does it rains hard!
I arrived at Can Domingo during Imane’s canopes set. Much to my delight, the rain hadn’t dampened anyone’s spirits, and with the seating rearranged under the restaurant terrace, Imane was charming all of the guests with her performance, in an intimate setting. As we performers often say, the show must go on, and on this occasion the rotten luck of rain on the wedding day, transformed into a unique opportunity for the guests to sit, up close and personal, with a superb musician.
For the after-dinner party, my DJ set would be joined by Rocky on Percussion, when together we kick started the dancing; Rocky’s congas and Djembe drum, beating in sync to a selection of traditional Congolese and Sierra Leonian music, and Souk.
I admit to being rather nervous. Not only because it was probably the first time I’d been asked to play such a specific and traditional style of music for a wedding party, but because I knew my selection would have to meet the approval of Louis’ African family. As a DJ and collector, it’s a genre music I love so much and I hoped that I could do it justice.
After my first mix, and with Louis’ parents, his uncle and aunt, and the rest of the congregation filling the dance floor, I knew we were going to have a very special night. Rocky performed exceptionally, as always, and when his set was over I continued to play for a few more hours until the busses arrived to take everyone home.
Smaller, more intimate, weddings are often more enjoyable for a DJ or performer, not because there are fewer people to please but because you feel a much stronger connection to the people celebrating. It’s always a privilege to perform for a celebration of love, and his was most certainly one of those particularly brilliant nights, and one I’ll never forget.
Music has been a big part of both of our lives, and played a huge part in bringing us together. As we were having a smaller wedding it was vital that it was just perfect and that we, and our guests, had the opportunity to dance our shoes off!!!
The ages and backgrounds were very varied on the day, so getting it right would be tricky; but after chatting with Ian, and laying out what we wanted, he presented loads of options for live music and we discussed and shared the DJ playlist so he knew exactly what to play. He didn’t disappoint. The music was magic, and they performed despite only the second rain storm of the SUMMER!!!
Imane Jades’s session turned into a live concert performance under the canopies. She really set everyone up for a magical night. Ian’s DJ set was on point, getting everyone up and dancing, including my 80 year mum & dad, to some 1970s Afro jazz, Soukous and Congolese Rumba.
Having Ian onboard removed so much stress, and all we can say is thank you for making our special day… Very Special!
Tania & Louis